buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

As background I should say many of my hearing problems have been brought about by employers wanting their helicopters to appear as if anyone could be around them in normal dress. As I was responsible to maintain the 'birds' while on demo flights around the world they didn't want people to see me wear a set of 'ear muffs' I was also 23 and bulletproof.
Now for the problem:
I have to wear hearing aids as I'm in my 70s but they don't filter out most of the background noise. On the Iphone when I use it, the phone broadcasts the phone voice via bluetooth. Now, all of a sudden I can hear again. Not perfect but at least 200% better than just holding the crappy speaker in the land line phone or iPhone up to my ear.

I just attended a session on fire and defensible space around homes (maybe 100 people in attendance) and was able to hear the instructors words only about 10% of the time. Pretty frustrating!
So I figured, maybe someone on UHH has experienced something similar and came up with a device/microphone that I could lay on a desk near the speaker and have it transmit voices thru a bluetooth signal so I can hear thru my hearing aids.

I sure would appreciate any and all comments. Thanks
Alex

Rick Loomis

I am 87 and have had to wear aids for several years. I purchased Beltone which were very expensive, but they gave me a remote with these with witch I can increase volume or decrease volume. With decrease volume I can almost shut down background noise as well as road noise. While I do not have the latest technology anymore I am sure that the new ones are better than mine. Get a trial pair.
Rick Loomis

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I use Starkey hearing aids and they have that exact feature you describe. There is a remote microphone that transmits via bluetooth to my hearing aids and I just place it at the sound source, like at the TV speaker, or at the podium of someone giving a speech, or my wife's favorite, in her pocket!

I'm sure other major brands have the same feature, just make an appointment with an audiologist.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Some hearing aids can play your phone directly through your aids. My expensive Resound aids use a free app with volume control, through the software, or you can use the control on your phone. Even when on vibrate only, it rings in my ear and, if I desire, I can have a nearly silent, to those around me, conversation.
I suspect other brands have the same option on any aid within the last couple of years.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Know the feeling. Year ago I purchased a pair of Oticon aids that work thru my iPhone. I hear TV and any phone calls directly into ear pieces. Frankly I haven’t heard this well since I was 20. Without the aids I can’t hear anything. Best of luck.

/George

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Hi Nimbushopper;
Thanks for the suggestion. I may have to investigate Starkey.
I normally buy my Hearing Aids from Costco but when I asked about this feature (A remote microphone) they told me my aids, even tho less than 2 years old, were not compatible for a remote microphone and I would have to buy new aids for about 1900.00 a pair and add 250.00 to get a remote microphone.
Seems to me we are being held up by the hearing aid industry. A little improvement one year and spend 2000.00 to get a 'little' improvement. This is a scam I'm very familiar with and I don't want to keep getting it in the shorts every few years.
Costco has normally been my go to place for aids as they cost about 50% of the price most audiologists charge for a pair of aids. If my present aids are able to receive bluetooth speech right now from my iPhone, why do I need another device from the manufacturer to do what my aids are capable of right now?

I would just like to spend the 250.00 and buy a microphone as you describe without having to buy a new pair of hearing aids? I called Crutchfield as they sell microphones and they knew of no one who sold microphones that would do what I want.

I'm beginning to think that Costco should policy price the additional microphones as in a crowded environment regular aids are worthless. That is, unless you're standing right next to the person you need to talk to.

I sure appreciate your comments.
Best
Alex

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Hi Floyd,
You're right. My aids works like that but I control the volume on my iPhone. Works great doesn't it?
Thanks

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Thanks Rick.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I hear you(pun intended)! I tried Costco aids as they were less than half the price of Starkey, but their performance disappointed. Aids are very expensive and not covered by insurance. Someone is making a fortune on them. I guess that's why they never charge for a hearing test!

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

I have phonak hearing aids and have a remote microphone that transmits to a compilot that then transmits the sound to your hearing aids. Works pretty well but really works well if you can get the speaker to wear it on their shirt/top. It has a clip for that. Other accessories use the compilot as well, like a tv hookup. Costco in Canada sells phonak don’t know about the US.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Thank you for that, Sailor.
I'd never heard of that brand before.

Do you mind stating which aids you presently have that use the compilot and how long since you purchased them? It would be interesting to know if products are available from Canada quicker and better than the US.
Maybe I'll have to take a drive up north and visit friends on Vancouver island. 👍